Bad news: Xu Yanmiao traveled back to ancient times, but he himself is lazy and uninterested in anything but internet cybersecurity, which is useless in ancient times.
Good news: He’s bound to a system.
Bad news: The system is called the Gossip System, not the fortune-telling kind, but the kind that contains other people’s private information and scandals. Utterly useless.
More bad news: This system is also glitchy, and the extent of the bugs is unknown.
Even more bad news: This body is that of a minor official who can attend court meetings, while Xu, the time traveler… doesn’t understand the classics, can’t write with a brush, and is at risk of being exposed for cheating in the imperial exams.
Xu Yanmiao: “…”
Forget it, just lie low, wait to die, maybe dying quickly could lead to another time travel.
…
In the court, the emperor was furious about state affairs, and the courtiers trembled in fear.
Xu Yanmiao pretended to listen attentively but was actually focused on browsing the Gossip System.
[Wow, the emperor just took in a 16-year-old noblewoman yesterday! A beautiful addition! He’s getting stronger with age! And he was tossing and turning in bed all night but still has such a powerful voice now! Amazing!] [This noblewoman used to be the crown prince’s concubine! And the crown prince even knows how to write passionate love letters!] [Wow wow wow! The crown prince sneaked into the grandpa’s harem… hiss—got intimate while the old emperor was attending court! Do it quickly! Why isn’t there any video…] [Huh? Why is there no sound?]Xu Yanmiao cautiously raised his head and glanced around.
[What happened? Why is everyone kneeling? Where’s the emperor?]—The emperor went to catch adultery in the harem.
*
The “imperial exam cheating” bomb finally exploded.
Xu Yanmiao couldn’t explain why his handwriting on the exam paper didn’t match his usual handwriting, nor could he answer why he didn’t understand the classics.
The evidence prepared by the ousted crown prince of the emperor hit the nail on the head, and his personal bodyguard was ready to drag Xu Yanmiao away to the prison, awaiting execution in the autumn.
Xu Yanmiao held onto the gossip that proved his innocence but was in a quandary:
How do I explain the source of my information…
[Say that I secretly met with the Chief Examiner, the Minister of Rites, three nights before the exam? Impossible, that night, the Minister of Rites was dressed as a woman, spent the night at the General’s Mansion, with the general…]The general’s body shook, and he interjected: “Your Majesty!!!!”
“Although the evidence of exam cheating is solid, I believe there’s still something fishy about this. It should be re-investigated! Especially Xu… Xu… Xu Yanmiao’s attire is neat and tidy! Someone who cares so much about their appearance, how could they tarnish their reputation!”
The crown prince, who couldn’t hear his thoughts: ??
[Also, what’s with saying that the examiner faking yawning and tiredness was intentionally leaving me a gap for cheating? He spent the night before the exam in the pigsty without sleeping, how could he not be tired the next day? But, surprisingly, the Imperial Academy lecturer actually believed in pig’s milk…]The Imperial Academy lecturer’s face went pale, and he burst out: “Your Majesty!!!!”
“I… I agree with the General’s words! How could Xu Lang cheat in the exam! He… he… he deliberately drank a glass of pure water before the exam, believing that only good-hearted people can use pure things, such a kind-hearted person, how could he cheat in the exam!”
Thinking he had everything under control, the crown prince: ??
Xu Yanmiao was deeply moved.
[They’re all good people, even if their brains don’t work well, they’re trying their best to find reasons and excuses for me.] [But I really have no way to turn the tables, alas, it’s a pity that I haven’t finished watching the TV series I’ve been following. The old emperor angered the empress last night and got kicked out of the bedchamber, and now I’m going to die before seeing the ending. He seems to be planning to paint his face with ink and pretend to be a cat to cheer up the empress…]“Bang—”
The old emperor slammed the table, forcibly interrupting the continuous stream of thoughts: “I believe Xu Yanmiao did not cheat in the exam! Release him, innocent!”
The civil and military officials couldn’t wait to echo, fearing that if they were too slow, Xu Yanmiao might spill more gossip.
“Yes yes yes! Release him innocent!”
“Long live Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty, please end the court session! Let Xu Lang go home and rest! You’ve tired him out by making him stand for so long!”
The crown prince: ??
Did Xu Yanmiao drug them with hallucinogens or something?
That said, I'm not sure if I would still find it funny 100+ chapters in. Maybe it would have gotten old, but it's a pity it was dropped, and I won't have the opportunity to judge for myself.
Other than that, the translation was good in the early chapters, but it became a bit spotty in the last one, with the male protagonist suddenly being referred to as 'she.' Also, there were two crown princes, and one was a member of the court while the other wasn't, which was confusing.
Addressing another comment right away—yes, many extreme topics are touched upon rather quickly with a humorous tone, which aligns with the overall narrative. However, the author presents complex ideas in a multi-dimensional way. For example, while the main character and the story don’t directly condemn the confinement of women to the background, and several key characters support these "virtues," we see increasing instances of positive change and progress.
Although these topics are presented lightly and humorously, which might make it seem like the appropriate gravity isn’t given, the story does delve into more dramatic situations without much sympathy. However, I believe the appropriate justice is ultimately served. Moreover, this approach fits well with the flow of the story, avoiding any appearance of misogyny or victim-blaming.
Despite its length, the story feels self-contained, and I appreciate how earlier foreshadowing is effectively referenced. The character development and the complexity of their personalities are also excellent—the author clearly highlights their flaws and moral ambiguities.
I particularly enjoyed the relationships the main character builds, especially with the old emperor, showcasing family bonds that aren’t defined by blood.
, this is a relatively light story with deep themes that become more apparent towards the end. Trigger warning: the story includes many instances of injustice in a feudal society, and the beginning is quite flamboyant.
I didn't expect it to be so emotional. This novel is a blend of comedy, brutality, discrimination, and racism, among other themes. However, it was written in a way that felt authentic and believable. Given the ancient China setting, I anticipated encountering uncomfortable topics.
The characters were never one-dimensional. The main character (MC) was naive but not in the overly idealistic sense where they shoulder every responsibility and expect everything to go their way. This MC understands the brutality of the ancient era but adapts to it relatively easily, partly due to the gossip system. Additionally, the MC doesn't have a romantic love interest, which I found refreshing.
Even though some parts of the novel are challenging to read, I'm glad I finished it. I particularly loved the ending and how the author chose to conclude the story. While some might find the ending abrupt, I believe it is the most fitting conclusion.
However, if you are easily upset, I don't recommend this novel, as some sections are quite sensitive.
**Pros:**
- **Gender Dynamics:** In ancient China, women were generally seen as inferior. At the beginning of the novel, they are treated as such. However, over time, the ancient people gradually change their views, seeing women not just as childbearers but as capable individuals who can participate in court affairs. This transformation is gradual and feels realistic for the ancient China setting, though it is far from perfect and misogyny still exists.
**Cons:**
- **Unhealthy Obsession:** The MC has an unhealthy obsession with foreigners, particularly the Japanese, with no clear reason or background provided for this dislike.
- **Slavery:** The novel includes scenes of slavery, which arise from wars over resources. The losing side often becomes slaves to the victors, reflecting the brutal nature of war and ancient times. While this is not the MC's fault, it adds to the harsh realities of the setting. Aside from these elements, the rest of the novel is fairly typical for an ancient China story.
The main character’s role here is to smooth things over, to (indirectly) advise the emperor and ministers, to develop their country, and to fix or patch up many flaws in the rules. He also works to eliminate many corrupt officials in a humorous way. Mostly, what he does is mock his senior officials, which adds a lot of laughs.
Personally, I really enjoy this story; it’s so refreshing. It’s perfect for someone who is tired of reading about power struggles, bored with cliché romances, and anxious about reading long, drawn-out chapters. This kind of historical fiction is right up my alley, and I hope there will be many more. <3
The story tackles heavy topics, but it handles them poorly. For instance, there's a character who gets kidnapped, raped, and miscarries. Despite the gravity of these events, they are barely addressed. Instead, the Emperor dismissively says, "Since she survived this, she would be perfect to lead an expedition to the Americas," as if her resilience in this traumatic situation is a unique qualification. It makes no sense at all.